Fiji Warriors dominate Pacific Challenge ^Featured

The Warriors won all of their games at the four team tournament in Suva last week, defeating Samoa A, 33-21, Junior Japan, 28-3 and Tonga A, 57-7.

The teams were made up of under 23-year-olds mixed with five senior players.

Warriors coach Senirusi Seruvakula said the tournament was a good opportunity for Fiji's young players to push for places in club and national teams, despite sweeping all before them.

"The only competition was from Samoa. From Tonga and Japan, it's like the competition is getting weaker. That's why we are dominating," Seruvakula said.

Tonga's tournament preperations were severely handicapped by last month's Cyclone Gita while Junior Japan finished runners up for the second year in a row following wins over Tonga A, 45-28 and Samoa A, 29-21.

Seruvakula also coaches the Fiji Drua which came third in Australia's National Rugby Championship in 2017, their first year in the competition.

Some of the Warriors could make that side, the coach said.

"It really helps me as a coach selecting the team for the Drua because these young players have stepped up and they've won the competition," he said.

"We've got the guys to select from the Skipper Cup and that's what's good about it, there'll be a lot of competition within the selection. For sure a lot of hese guys will be in the Drua."

Particularly impressive were the Warriors starting front row, Seruvakula said.

"The two under-20s, the loose head Luke Tangi and the hooker Ratu Vere (Taukanoa Vugakoto) and Eroni (Cama Talemaisolomoni) Mawi. Those front rowers, they really stand out throughout the competition," he said.

Tangi scored a try and set up another during the Warrior's game against Junior Japan, displaying an impressive set of ball skills for a 130kg prop.

"By the look you wouldn't believe what he can do out there on the field," Seruvakula said.

"You'd think he was just theere for the scrum but he has a lot of skills, he's a ball player."

Another coach with his eye on the Pacific Challenge was Manu Samoa's Fuimaono Faleomavaega Titimaea 'Dicky' Tafua.

The Brian Lima coached Samoa A could feed the national side as it tries to qualify for next year's World Cup, Fuimaono said.

"It's a very good idea using our under 23 players... it is a very good opportunity for our younger players to be exposed to this level especially playing with other countries," he said.

"There are three to four players in this Samoa A that have a chance to be in the Manu Samoa this year."

-RNZI